Movie Review: Crazy Stupid Love

August 29, 2011
SM Centerpoint, Sta. Mesa

MTRCB Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romantic comedy/Drama

Starring:
Steve Carell
Ryan Gosling
Julianne Moore
Emma Stone
Marisa Tomei
Kevin Bacon

Cal's world crumbled when his wife admitted she cheated on him with her co-worker and wanted a divorce. He moved out from their home and got his own apartment. He frequently went to bars and kept talking about his divorce until a young man named Jacob took pity of him and taught him how to be a lady's man. Jacob helped him have a makeover. He eventually learned to seduce women and bedded 9 women. Cal and Jacob became friends. Although he was flirting with women, Cal still loved his wife and visited their home at night looking at her from afar without her knowing it. He secretly maintained their backyard at night since their divorce. Jacob, on the other hand fell in love with a girl and asked Cal for advice on how to become a compassionate man. Cal's and his wife's children made a plan to reconcile their parents. The plan almost worked until the babysitter's father attacked Cal after discovering his daughter's nude photos addressed to Cal. Cal's son despised him for he was in love with his babysitter. Things got complicated when his daughter Hannah showed up with Jacob, her boyfriend. He bacame furious because he knew how womanizing Jacob was. To make matters worse, his wife's co-worker also arrived to bring her the jacket she left during their last date. Cal, Jacob, the babysitter's father, and his wife's co-worker got into a brawl and were pacified only when the police came. At his son's 8th graduation, his son gave a salutatory speech. He bagan talking about not believing in true love and soulmates anymore. Cal interrupted his son and told the audience about his courtship with his wife when they were young. He said he was unsure if it would work out but he declared he would not give up on her to the audience's delight. The couple finally reconciled. The babysitter gave his son the nude photos as a graduation gift.

Positive: It is a romantic comedy that touches the heart of the people who experienced, are experiencing, and will experience love. I admit I'm not a fan of love stories but this film moved me. The idea of fighting for the one you love and getting him/her back gives me satisfaction. The movie tells people deserve second chances, especially the good-hearted people. Some of the lines were witty and funny. The most remarkle line was when Jacob took off his shirt in front of Hanna and show her his abs and told him, "Seriously, it looks like it's photoshopped!" Cal's transformation into a lady's man was also worth commending. The makeover was effective enough to transform Steve Carell into a younger and hotter man. And yeah, the dirty dancing "Time if My Life" scene of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone was likeable, too. Boy, I'm starting to have a crush on Emma Stone.

Negative: Hmmm. Let me see. Marisa Tomei's character was unnecessary. The movie could still survive without her. The plot wasn't consistent. I like the first parts. It was romantic yet comedic. The latter part turned out to be more serious.

Overall: The film is romantic, smart, witty, funny and moving. Its story can appeal to every people, young and old. Anybody who will watch it will love it for sure.

Rating: